Hair Loss Education
Male Pattern Hair Loss
Male pattern hair loss (also known as androgenetic alopecia) is a progressive hair thinning condition and is the most common type of hair loss in men. Male pattern hair loss typically begins at the forehead, with the hairline gradually receding along the sides to form an ‘M’ shape. The remaining hair may become finer and shorter, with hair at the crown (back) of the head also beginning to thin.
The amount of hair loss can vary amongst men and is usually influenced by an individual’s genetic make-up. In severe cases, the receding forehead hairline may eventually extend to the thinned crown, leaving a horseshoe pattern of hair around the sides of the head.
What Causes Hair Loss?
There are many different causes of hair loss including certain illnesses involving liver or kidney disease, disorders of the immune system, stress, major surgery or trauma, cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal problems, fungal infections, smoking and as a side-effect of some medications or supplements.
Dietary considerations such as nutritional deficiencies or conversely high complex carbohydrate diets which may have an endocrine effect inducing rapid release of insulin from the pancreas. The release of insulin then stimulates an increase in testosterone levels and concomitantly increases DHT (see below) resulting in hair loss. Scarring from burns can also cause permanent hair loss. Hair loss in patches, sudden hair loss, breaking of hair shafts or hair loss associated with redness, scaling or pain are likely to be caused by specific health conditions.
What Causes Male Pattern Hair Loss?
While it is not completely understood why the hair follicles on men’s heads stop producing new hairs, the male hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is thought to play a part. Testosterone, the most important male sex hormone (androgen) in men, is responsible for the growth of bone and muscles, sexual function and for producing physical characteristics in men including facial and body hair. In the body, testosterone is converted to DHT by an enzyme (5-alpha reductase). DHT acts on different organs in the body including the hair follicles and cells in the prostate. For reasons we don’t understand, hair follicles sometimes become more sensitive to DHT, slowing down hair production and producing weaker, shorter hair. Sometimes hair growth stops completely. It is not clear why different hair follicles are affected at different times, making the balding process gradual or why only scalp hairs are affected.
How Common Is Male Pattern Hair Loss?
The majority of men will experience some form of hair loss in their lifetime. For men between the ages of 20 and 45 who start to lose scalp hair, there is a 95 per cent chance they are experiencing male pattern hair loss. Male pattern hair loss varies from population to population due to genetic background.
What Causes Female Pattern Hair Loss?
Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) is thought to usually occur as a result of damage to hair follicles caused by inflammation triggered by exposure to the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The mechanism for hair loss is the same as in men. For reasons we don’t understand, hair follicles sometimes become more sensitive to DHT, slowing down hair production and producing weaker, shorter hair. Sometimes hair growth stops completely. The causes driving increasing levels of DHT or increasing scalp sensitivity to DHT are varied and there is considerable overlap with many of the causes of Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL). Importantly in women the hormonal balance of estrogen vs testosterone, the possible impact of oral contraceptive medication on hair loss or growth, adds another layer of challenge in resolving hair loss issues in women.
What Is The Emotional Impact Of Experiencing Hair Loss?
While some hair loss is a normal part of the ageing process, it can be distressing for many particularly if it is excessive or happens at an early age. For both men and women experiencing hair loss can make them feel less confident, less attractive and many think it makes them look older.
Male pattern hair loss (also known as androgenetic alopecia) is a progressive hair thinning condition and is the most common type of hair loss in men. Male pattern hair loss typically begins at the forehead, with the hairline gradually receding along the sides to form an ‘M’ shape. The remaining hair may become finer and shorter, with hair at the crown (back) of the head also beginning to thin.
The amount of hair loss can vary amongst men and is usually influenced by an individual’s genetic make-up. In severe cases, the receding forehead hairline may eventually extend to the thinned crown, leaving a horseshoe pattern of hair around the sides of the head.
What Causes Hair Loss?
There are many different causes of hair loss including certain illnesses involving liver or kidney disease, disorders of the immune system, stress, major surgery or trauma, cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal problems, fungal infections, smoking and as a side-effect of some medications or supplements.
Dietary considerations such as nutritional deficiencies or conversely high complex carbohydrate diets which may have an endocrine effect inducing rapid release of insulin from the pancreas. The release of insulin then stimulates an increase in testosterone levels and concomitantly increases DHT (see below) resulting in hair loss. Scarring from burns can also cause permanent hair loss. Hair loss in patches, sudden hair loss, breaking of hair shafts or hair loss associated with redness, scaling or pain are likely to be caused by specific health conditions.
What Causes Male Pattern Hair Loss?
While it is not completely understood why the hair follicles on men’s heads stop producing new hairs, the male hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is thought to play a part. Testosterone, the most important male sex hormone (androgen) in men, is responsible for the growth of bone and muscles, sexual function and for producing physical characteristics in men including facial and body hair. In the body, testosterone is converted to DHT by an enzyme (5-alpha reductase). DHT acts on different organs in the body including the hair follicles and cells in the prostate. For reasons we don’t understand, hair follicles sometimes become more sensitive to DHT, slowing down hair production and producing weaker, shorter hair. Sometimes hair growth stops completely. It is not clear why different hair follicles are affected at different times, making the balding process gradual or why only scalp hairs are affected.
How Common Is Male Pattern Hair Loss?
The majority of men will experience some form of hair loss in their lifetime. For men between the ages of 20 and 45 who start to lose scalp hair, there is a 95 per cent chance they are experiencing male pattern hair loss. Male pattern hair loss varies from population to population due to genetic background.
What Causes Female Pattern Hair Loss?
Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) is thought to usually occur as a result of damage to hair follicles caused by inflammation triggered by exposure to the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The mechanism for hair loss is the same as in men. For reasons we don’t understand, hair follicles sometimes become more sensitive to DHT, slowing down hair production and producing weaker, shorter hair. Sometimes hair growth stops completely. The causes driving increasing levels of DHT or increasing scalp sensitivity to DHT are varied and there is considerable overlap with many of the causes of Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL). Importantly in women the hormonal balance of estrogen vs testosterone, the possible impact of oral contraceptive medication on hair loss or growth, adds another layer of challenge in resolving hair loss issues in women.
What Is The Emotional Impact Of Experiencing Hair Loss?
While some hair loss is a normal part of the ageing process, it can be distressing for many particularly if it is excessive or happens at an early age. For both men and women experiencing hair loss can make them feel less confident, less attractive and many think it makes them look older.